About Me

I'm a librarian who is interested in all things British. I try to visit London as often as possible, and am always planning my next trip. I lived in Sweden for a few years with my Swedish husband, so the occasional Swedish reference may occur . . .

I'm Currently Reading

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Margaret Thatcher certainly played a vital part in the history of the United Kingdom. As Prime Minister all throughout the 1980s, she steered Britain toward a more conservative course. Gain insight into the life of the controversial and inspiring
woman who led the United Kingdom for more
than ten years. The BBC released The Rise and Fall of Margaret
Thatcher on DVD October 18. Here is a synopsis of the program:

Synopsis:

Gain insight into the life of the
controversial and inspiring woman who led the United Kingdom for more
than ten years as the BBC releases The Rise and Fall of Margaret
Thatcher on DVD this October.
Featuring three outstanding productions - The
Long Walk to Finchley, The Falkland’s Play and
Margaret - on two discs, this fascinating collection follows the
political career of the former Prime Minister. Andrea Riseborough (Made in Dagenham, Happy Go Lucky),
Patricia Hodge (The Legacy of Reginald
Perrin, Miranda) and Lindsay Duncan (Doctor Who, Rome) respectively
tackle the role of the Iron Lady in these films. Arriving at retail on October
18, The Rise and Fall of
Margaret Thatcher is a must-own DVD set for
all history buffs and Anglophiles alike.

Riseborough’s portrayal of a young
Margaret Roberts in The Long Walk to Finchley,
was hailed as “breathtaking, giving Thatcher humor, drive and real sex appeal”
by the London Evening Standard.
The intriguing film reveals her steely determination as an ambitious
twenty-something research chemist on the first rungs of the ladder to
Parliament. Eager to speak her mind and be selected to a “winnable” Tory seat
in the 1950s, The Long Walk to Finchley
imagines what might have gone on behind the scenes during Thatcher’s ten-year
struggle to gain a seat in Parliament.

Lauded by The Guardian as, “a thrilling piece of
drama which challenged prejudices and preconceptions,” The Falkland’s Play chronicles the
backroom story of Margaret Thatcher’s war. Once deemed too controversial to
produce, this compelling production depicts a gripping account of how the
leaders at 10 Downing Street faced one of their biggest crises
in foreign affairs.

Finally, Margaret examines the downfall of the Prime Minister after
her election to a third term. One of the most formidable figures in British
politics, the film ultimately reveals that the very aspects of her character
that helped her secure power were also the ones that ensured her decline. The Daily Express praised the film as
“riveting viewing…Lindsay Duncan plays her
as sharp as a ferret, with the eyes of a lynx and the manner of an aged,
furious tiger.”

One of the defining crises of Thatcher's tenure occurred during the Falklands crisis. Here is a video showing some "behind the scenes" discussions just as the action was beginning to heat up:

I have one copy of the DVD of The Rise and Fall of Margaret Thatcher to give away. To enter, just leave me a comment telling me your favorite leader of all time -- doesn't have to be the leader of a country, just someone who is a strong and inspirational leader! Be sure and leave your email address so I'll have a way to contact you if you should be the winner. I'll choose the winner randomly using random.org on Nov. 4. The winner will have 72 hours to get back to me with their mailing address, or I'll have to choose another winner. Due to mailing restrictions, the giveaway is only valid for US entries.

Good luck!

Disclaimer: I was provided a giveaway copy of The Rise and Fall of Margaret Thatcher.

Former President Jimmy Carter is still one of my favorites. I think he will be better known for his work after his presidency. He is an extremely intelligent person and his work with Habitat for Humanity is inspiring. I hope I can be as young as he is when I'm his age!